Improvement in apparatus for preserving dead bodies



J. KINSMAN, sr.

Corpse Coo|er.

Patnted May 22. 1866.

Fry. .2

N, PETERS, mmmnugnpner. washingm. D. c,

lUNrTEn STATES JACOB KUNSMAN, SR.,

PATENT OEEieE.

or READING, PENNSYLVANIA, AssreNoE ro HIM- u SELF AND FREDERICK J. NAGLE, OF SAME PLAGE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,013, dated May 22, 1866. v

To all 'whom fit may concern:

Beit known that LJAGOB KUNSMAN, Sr., of Beading, in the county of Berks and State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Preserving Dead Bodies; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part -of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my improved apparatus, showing in red lines the relative position of the neck and body boxes when used. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same through the line w x, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object the furnishing an apparatus by the use of which the bodies ot' the dead may be preserved from decomposition, evenin the warmest weather or climate, until such time asit may be convenient to place them in cons for interment; and it consists, first, in combining a perforated supportingplate with the box second, in combining a perforated adjustable head-support with the box and with the perforated supportin g-plate; third, in combining a neck-box provided with exhaustpipes and stop-cocks with the supportin gplate and with the box; fourth, in combining exhaust-pipes, stop-cocks, and a lid with the body-box and supporting-plate; iifth, in combining with the box a detachable part for lengthening the box when required; sixth, in com bining with the box the hinged legs, for convenience in transportation; seventh, in combining with the hinged legs and with the box a board or shelf, to be used as a brace to hold the hinged legsin position as a table for dressing the body and as a lid or cover for the box in transportation; eighth, in combining a trough or receptacle provided with an exhaust-pipe and stop-cock with the box, i'or receiving the water from the box; and ninth, in combining end doors with the box, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Ais the box. B is a perforated supportingplate attached to a frame, O. This plate B extends from the foot of the box A toabout the place where the neck of a corpse would naturally come; and it may be made of metal and painted, or it may be made of any other suitable material. The perforations through this plate should be suficiently numerous to readily carry ol' all water that may iiow upon it.

The frame O rests upon supports Vor cleats `D, attached to the box A, as shown in Fig. 2.

The head-support E consists of a metallic perforated lining attached to and supported on three sides by a box or frame, e', as shown in the drawings. The head end of the support E rests upon a screw,F, passing through the frame O, as shown in Fig. 2, by which it-may be raised or lowered as required. The front end, e", rests upon the plate B, as shown.

Gr G are doors closing openings in the head and foot of the box A below the plate B, by which access may be had to the interior of the box for the insertion of ice, or to see that the vent-hole for the discharge of the water is free, or for any other necessary purpose. H H are legs hinged to the box A, as shown in Fig. 2, for convenience in supporti-ng the box. I is a board which,;when placed in the position represented in Fig. 2, acts as a brace, securing the legs H in position and guarding against the falling of the apparatus, butA which is also designed to be used as a table for dressing the corpse, and also is a lid or cover to the box during transportation. When used as a brace the board I is kept in position by the wedge J.

K is a box or trough resting upon the brace I, to receive the water as it escapes from the box A through the vent-hole L. M is a portion ofthe foot ofthe box A, which 1s made removable, so that it may be removed for the attachment ofthe extension N. ln the ease of short bodies the box A is used without the part N; but in the case of long bodies the part M is removed and the part N attached, the iianges of the metallic lining lof which grasp the edges of the end ofthe box A, as shown in Fig. 1.

O is the neck-box, which is made in the form represented in the drawings, so as to it closely around the throat and chin of the corpse. 1t is provided with a lid, 0', and with exhaustpipes and stop-cocks o, for letting ott' the water from the box O when-it may be considered advisable. The pipes o" lead into cavities between the frame C and the boxA, through which the Water flows into the lower part of the box A.

P is a box formed to t over the lower part of the body, and which is furnished with a lid or cover, P', and with exhaust-pipes and stopcocks P", by means of which the water may be drawn off into the lower part of the box A, the pipes P" leading into orifices formed between the frame G and the side of the box A, as shown. Y

In using the apparatus, I set up the box A, place the plate B and support E in the proper positions, and attach the extension N, if necessary. Then I place the body upon thei'rame, and support and allow it to remain there undisturbed until the friends of thedeceased, are fully satisfied that death has really taken place. I then place pieces of ice around the body, be

ftween it and the side walls of the box and around the neck and cheeks of the corpse, applying to or wrapping the body in cloths' wet in a solution of saltpeter, when necessary.

I thus avoid placing the body directly upon the ice,r which is so strongly objected to by the friends of deceased persons,

The boxes O and P are only used where'ice is unattainable. In this case I ll the boxes O and P with cold water by removing the covers o' and P', and as fast and asoften as it becomes warm I draw it off by the pipes o" and P", replacing it with cold water. In this B and the box A, substantially as described,

and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the neck-box O, provided with a cover, o', and exhaust-pipes and stop-cocks o", with `the perforated plate B and box A, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the detachable part N with the box A, substantially as described,

and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of the board or shelf l withthe hingedlegs Hand with the box A, substantially as described, andfor the purpose set forth.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 18th day of November, 1865.

'JACOB KUNSMAN, Se. Witnesses:

M. M. LIVINGSTON, JAMES AT. GRAHAM. 

